Disapproves of county's representative

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

On Feb. 22, Dr. C.T. Vivian, a well-known civil rights pioneer, was the guest speaker at an event sponsored by the Coatesville branch of the NAACP. I am pleased that it was a very successful event. I was disappointed that Chester County Commissioner Terence Farrell was designated to represent the county as a presenter of recognition to Dr. Vivian.

While Dr. Vivian and others like him have fought for freedom, equality and liberty, Commissioner Farrell has gone in a different direction. Such as: 1. Moving the polling place from Lincoln University to another less convenient location.

2. Contributed to the abolition of the Office of Jury Commissioner.

3. Lacks credibility for helping poor people, people of color, or the middle class.

In his presentation, Chairman Farrell loudly touted his blackness when he proclaimed that he was the first black to be chairman of the county commissioners, as well as the first black to be elected to a county row office.

He makes a bold statement about his black historical significance and presence. However, what has he done for black people?

In my opinion, Mr. Farrell did not deserve to be on the same stage with a great man and civil rights crusader like Dr. C.T. Vivian.

ELWOOD DIXONCoatesvilleNo Corvette shoppers

This is in response to the guest columnist (March 18) who wrote about “Welfare states climb.”

He quotes a veteran who boasted that his disability money funded his Corvette. And you believed him?

Nobody is buying a Corvette with the disability income from the government.

I was a social worker for 18 years and every single person I sent to apply was denied. They had to obtain a lawyer and then reapply.

I had one client who had stomach cancer and emphysema who was denied. He died during the appeal process.

Another client, a young woman in her 30s who joined the U.S. Army and had a son, and her husband died. She applied for disabilities and was refused because “there is no such thing as Agent Orange.” Another elderly woman was a severe diabetic and received fresh fruits and produce for her diet. When she was finally approved for disability, the amount was so paltry she literally had to choose between food or medications. I heard that same story many times.

So, it’s not only difficult to qualify (and I use that word loosely) but once approved, no one I ever met went Corvette shopping.